Yesterday I wrote about chocolate chip cookies with pudding and said they were a little cakey for my tastes and not quite chewy enough. They were good –definitely better after they’d sat around for a few hours, but just anot my favorite texture and type of cookie.
Since I’m being finicky, I figured I’d post a refresher with my current Top 5 chocolate chip cookie list. The list is always evolving, and these 5 just happen to be the ones that I’ve turned to lately because I like them, they’re convenient, and because friends have been impressed.
1. The latest greatest cookie I’ve fallen in love with is from a Unix programmer. Sadly he died, but he left (those of us who can’t appreciate the Unix books) a cookie recipe. On paper, the recipe doesn’t look that original, but the technique he uses of adding the egg little by little results in a cookie with crispy edges, chewy centers and lots of nooks and crannies. You really need a stand mixer for this one, so I included it in the title.
Unix Programmer’s Cookies Ultimate Stand Mixer Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Carla Rollins Cookie – This one will always be in my Top 5 Chocolate Chip list because I love the flavor and texture and have been making it for years for people I care about. Out of all my cookies, I think it’s the one that gets the most “Did you buy these?” queries. Sorry the photo is so old.
Carla Rollins Cookie from Gourmet
3. For Thin and Crispy cookies, my favorite is still Alexis Stewart’s Chocolate Chip cookies. It took me a while to get the recipe to work (issues with the flour, I suppose), but once I did I was happy. Not everyone has good luck with this recipe, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say this was the one I turned to when I wanted thin and crispy.
Alexis Stewart’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
4. Cooks Illustrated New Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe – This is another one I make quite frequently. It’s not perfect, but it’s has a chewy texture and a real toffee-like flavor from the browned butter. It’s also really easy to whip up when I have a craving.
Cookies Illustrated Chocolate Chip Cookie Version 2
5. For number 5, I’m going to have to go with Alton Brown’s. Remembering to buy bread flour is the only issue I have with this recipe. Other than that, it’s very good. For some reason, I don't have a photo handy.
Alton Brown's "The Chewy" Chocolate Chip Cookie
Extras: And then there are a couple that I love, but which I always forget about because I’m either too busy trying new cookies or I’ve turned to one of the Top 5.
David Lebovitz's Chocolate Chip Cookies were excellent that one time I made them and his technique of baking them on the top rack of the oven is kind of interesting. I need to make these again.
Mrs. D.’s Chocolate Chip Cookies aka Chocolate Chip Cookies with Heath Bars. With or without the toffee, Mrs. D.’s recipe is a good one. It’s not as buttery as the ones above, but it’s a handsome and sturdy cookie that you can pack a lot of chocolate into.
Mrs. D.'s Chocolate Chip Cookies (with Heath Bars)
Pierre says
Based on your description, it looks like I'm going to have to try the Unix programmer cookies. I wrote a review of a dozen top ranked CCC recipes on my site last year + the Keller CC cookie, See http://www.thegrinninggourmet.com/?page_id=178, if you're interested.
Love your site,
Dorena says
Just happened upon your site and wondered if you've ever tried the "Neiman Marcus" chocolate chip cookie recipe. The story behind it is obviously a fraud, but the cookies are excellent!
Michelle @ I'll Bring A Dessert says
Anna - I love how you love chocolate chip cookies like me! You are the only person I know that tries more recipes for them than I do. I have to admit though, that I stopped searching last year after I got the New York Times recipe and tweaked it to my liking:
http://recipesandfamilyfun.blogspot.com/2008/07/perfect-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
I do need to take a new photo of it though, cause that one doesn't look good at all! I just ate some this afternoon and I make them 1-2 times a month. Love them!
I'm intrigued by the Unix one you posted though too. I'll have to check it out and maybe do a comparison sometime!
I love your "Top" lists. 🙂
Anna says
Yup, I've made them. They're good.
Samantha says
I'm sure you have but have you tried these?!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/dining/091crex.html?_r=3&ref=dining
My husbands end all be all sweet treat is chocolate chip cookies. I make them every time he goes on mission and every time he comes home. (1 dozen + times last year) I came across this one and HAD to try as I'm always looking for "his" perfect chocolate chip cookie.
I digress...I made a batch of these and sent them to his boat a few weeks ago, he said he only got one because the guys in his department dug in and went to town. They are truly awesome...but this coming from a novice baker, not accomplished like you. I LOVE THEM!!!
Wendy says
How funny - i JUST made the Cook's Illustrated "Perfect " cookie (#4) this weekend. I was pretty impressed.... it was crunchy on the edges and chewy in the middle (that didn't really impress me) - what impressed me was it stayed that way for a few days (until they were GONE at least!)
Anna says
Sarah,
I apologize for not answering your question yesterday. The way I make the recipe is I use two whole eggs and then add 1 3/4 tablespoons of egg to the batter. I don't think it would matter *too* much if you cracked the 2 whole eggs into a bowl, beat them a little, then added 1 3/4 tablespoons, but it might. But the way I do it is to just measure out 1 3/4 tablespoons of the one egg (discard the rest) then add 2 whole eggs.
Carolyn T at tastingspoons.com says
Hi Anna - have made many of your cookies, but my all-time favorite CC cookies is the one-bowl. It's the recipe I turn to over and over and over. I try others, and always go back to it. I'm so grateful that you posted it whenever that was. Enjoy your blog, and read it regularly.
Sarah says
Anna,
The only one I've not tried from this list is the Carla Rollins recipe, so of course I'm going to try it tomorrow 🙂 I do have one question, I think I know the answer but thought it wouldn't hurt to ask since you said the addition of the eggs is an important step. So, here goes: the recipe states "add 1 3/4 tablespoons of it plus 2 remaining whole eggs to butter mixture", so I'm adding 1 3/4 tablespoons beaten egg plus throwing two whole NONBEATEN eggs into the mix? Or does the recipe mean whole as in the full amount of two beaten eggs? Sorry if this is confusing, I think I just confused myself reading it 🙂 Basically, do I add 1 3/4 tbsp. beaten egg and two nonbeaten eggs, are all the eggs beaten before I add them?
Katrina says
Lynn, just throwing in my two cents about the NYT recipe, since it's my favorite right now. I take quite a few shortcuts on it and still think it's one of the best ccc recipes. I almost never chill the dough and I don't salt the tops of the cookies. I keep cake flour and bread flour on hand. Once I buy a box/bag, it seems to last a while, pretty much the only thing I use it for is these cookies, which I actually bake quite a bit. I guess I just think it's worth the investment to have cake and bread flour. I usually put the 60% Ghirardelli chips in them, which are a little flat like the disks/feves NYT recipe calls for and they're about as bittersweet as I like in a ccc. Just throwing that in there.
Louise says
LOL. I'm probably one of the originators of the Chocolate Chip Cookie Chronicles. I don't especially care for thin ccc. I think my love affair with ccc trials goes back to Chocolatier Magazine, Volume 1, No. 3 1984 and the "Best-Ever Chocolate Chunk Cookies" which appeared on the cover. I think it was the first time we were told to cut up a Lindt or Tobler candy bar for the cookies. And The Frog Commissary "Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Walnut" from 1985. They are still way up there in the cookie ranks.
Anna says
Lynn, I like the NYT cookie. The trouble is I rarely have cake flour and bread flour on hand at the same time. Plus, I think what really makes that recipe is the 24 to 32 hour chill time (which applies to a lot of chocolate chip cookie dough recipes which taste better after they've rested) and the fancy chocolate they recommend.
Lynn says
Where does the New York Times cookie fit in?
Laura E. says
Louise, Alton also has a thin recipe - http://www.foodnetwork.com/good-eats/three-chips-for-sister-marsha/index.html
Here is a transcript of the show he did on the three recipes if you're interested. 🙂 http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Season3/Cookie/CookieTranscript.htm
Sue says
Another great list!! I love your lists!
I made the Carla Rollins CCC yesterday and they're wonderful as always. They were very much appreciated! Katrina, you won't be sorry if you make these!!
I love the CI recipe. I think that's my all time favorite right now.
I've been meaning to try the David Lebovitz recipe. Too many cookies not enough time or calorie allocation!! haha!
Michelle, I have that copy of Midwest Living and noticed all those good looking recipes. I haven't had time to look at it closely. I'll do that when I get back home. I'm glad you mentioned it here.
Thanks again Anna! Love the list!!
Anna says
I'm glad you all like the list. I actually posted it because I tried another chocolate chip cookie this weekend and needed to jog my own memory so I could compare it with all these other favorites.
Shannon, I think I tried "The Puffy" a long time ago. I should try it again since I don't remember it. I find "The Chewy" usually come out fairly thick (not always).
Dolce, just buy pants with an elastic waist ;). Kidding. Sort of.
Jen, the old Nielsen Massey cookie is a good one, but I think maybe it needs more butter. I still like it, it's just not among my favorite right now.
Barbara, I'm looking forward to your take on the CI recipe. Try it!
Katrina, if you make the Carla Rollins cookies you must chill the dough.
Louise says
I love W. Richard Steven's Ultimate CC Cookies. I've given his TCP/IP book an appropriate place among my cook books. I also love Alton Brown's "The Chewy", but didn't know he also has "The Puffy". Puffy doesn't sound appealing, but since "The Chewy" is so good, I'll probably try it anyway. I find the Cooks Illustrated cookie just too greasy.
Katrina says
Oh some many cookies to try and oh so little time! Those Carla Rollins ones look good. And I don't recall making those before.
My NYT ccc's are going like hotcakes over here with the house for sale. I can't keep them stocked on the plates!
And I AM surprised you didn't mention "our" Hard Boiled Egg CCC's! 😉
Barbara says
Love your post title, Anna! And it's so true. More and more cc cookies recipes are out there and some of them are divine! I still make a recipe out of the old Make it Now Bake it Later series. My kids love them.
However, I really am tempted to try the Cook's Illustrated because I do love the brown butter idea. And then, I better try Alton Brown's, because I bought some bread flour by mistake a while back and need a something good to use it in!
Jen says
I really, really like the way those Unix cookies look. That's the look I'm always searching for in a CC cookie. I really need to get a stand mixer.
My fallback cookie is still the Nielsen Massey CC cookie. It was the first one I made that really turned out well.
Dolce says
(I opened the Unix recipe in another window and posted the below comment over there instead of here... Sorry... you can delete it if you want)
Who does not love a refreshed top ccc list? I liked the idea of the Unix programmer and also the one you can whip up in no time. Sadly, my pants don’t always agree with me eating so many cookies, but I am saving the recipes 🙂
Shannon says
I love your top 5 lists too! It takes the guesswork out of finding a good recipe. I've tried a few you posted, but not all of them so now I have some new recipes to try.
Have you tried Alton Brown's "The Puffy"? I like "The Chewy" too, but I was surprised by how much I liked the Puffy. I don't normally go for cakey ccc's, but there was something about the Puffy that I enjoyed. Even though they are not buttery (they use all or part shortening), I thought they had a nice texture and flavor.
Oh and one of my favorite ccc's is your recipe that uses hard-boiled egg in it. Great texture and everyone is surprised when I tell them what's in it!
Anna says
Hi Kristen, I forgot to mention the One Bowl recipe, but that one's a favorite of mine as well.
Michelle, thanks for the heads up on the Midwest Living recipe. I'll have to look for it and try it. I don't think the oil would make it greasy at all -- not unless they used too much of it. It's probably a really good recipe.
Michelle says
Hi Anna,
I always enjoy your "top" lists -- reminds me of how many good recipes I still need to catch up on. I loved those Unix cookies, didn't know the creator had passed away, that is sad news. Wanted to let you know that the new issue of Midwest Living features a ccc article featuring 6 recipes. One of them is made with a combination of butter and oil, something I have not tried before. I am wondering if they may turn out too greasy? Anyway, the recipes look good, might be worth picking up. Thanks for all your recipes and hard work.
Michelle
Kristen says
My favorite chocolate chip cookie from your site is the 'Another One Bowl Chocolate Chip Cookie". I love it because of the melted butter part- I typically forget to take butter out to soften and the elimination of that step has been a time saver. Plus, this recipe is super adaptable to different mix-ins and I always get compliments on their chewy texture- even days later. So, while I love all the other CChip recipes, none have won me over. I am really devoted to the 'Another One Bowl..." Thanks!